Moms who use formula were twice as likely as those who exclusively breast-fed to start their children on solid foods too early, according to a recent study.

Written by

Michelle Healy
USA TODAY

Forty percent of moms start babies on solid food before the recommended age of 4 months, says a new study. And more than half said their health care provider gave the go-ahead.

Moms who use formula were twice as likely as those who exclusively breast-fed to start solids too early - 53 percent to 24 percent - says the study, in the April Pediatrics.

A number of health problems are associated with starting solid foods too early, says study co-author Kelley Scanlon, an epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These findings "don't offer a full understanding why, but they ...